Yordan Alvarez is driving the Houston Astros' comeback, with the team now just 1.5 games out of the AL Wild Card.
What's Behind the Comeback?
The Astros began the 2026 season with a poor record but have since turned it around, thanks in part to Alvarez's impressive performance.
Alvarez has posted 3.9 bWAR, 105 hits, 62 runs scored, and a .313 batting average across 92 games.
Why Alvarez Should be AL MVP Favorite
ESPN's Bradford Doolittle calls Alvarez the Astros' "First-half MVP" and cites two reasons why he should be the AL MVP favorite: the Astros' comeback and Alvarez's chances at a Triple Crown.
Alvarez leads the AL in home runs with 29 and is second in batting average at .313, just behind Yandy Diaz at .319.
What Comes Next?
If Alvarez can maintain his lead in RBIs and home runs and close the gap in batting average, he could win the Triple Crown and make a strong case for AL MVP.
The Astros are 2.0 games out of the AL West lead, and if they take the division lead, Alvarez's path to AL MVP will become even clearer.
Alvarez's performance has been impressive, with 16 doubles and 67 RBIs so far in the 2026 season.
The Road to the Triple Crown
To win the Triple Crown, Alvarez must lead the AL in batting average, home runs, and RBIs. He currently leads in home runs and is close in the other two categories.
Miguel Cabrera won the AL MVP when he won the Triple Crown in 2012, setting a precedent for Alvarez's potential MVP win.